[littl3chocobo]

he was angry all the way up until he opened the garden door. he took one look at the woman with his bride in her lap and stalked over. he roughly pulled the boy up into his arms and stalked back off, he could hear the woman saying something but he did not stop to listen. he was greatly upset that the other was acting so scandalously, it was bad enough his men had seen enough of the little lord to make lewd remarks and the maids saw enough to spread rumors but to have them validated as well? he felt like spitting. he continued down the halls ignoring everyone he passed by, he was intent on getting the boy to his room if nothing else

[Auspicious Happenings]

Evan did not wake in the Princes arms, in fact, he slumped and jostled around with each step that the Prince made. He was for all intensive purposes as graceful as a sack of bricks dressed in a fine gown.
Constance attempted to scurry after the Prince, but it was apparent that he was too upset to hear her. She tried warning him of Evan's condition, and begged him not to be angry at him.
But, she was a woman pushing late into her 50's, and could not keep up with Alric's pace, and quickly lost sight of them.
Puffing and wheezing, she had to stop to rest for a moment, bending forward slightly at the waist, she brought a hand up to rest on her chest.
She prayed and hoped that Evan would be alright, and that the Prince would be lenient.

[littl3chocobo]

if he was not already known for scaring maids he would have been by now. both ran out as soon as he made it through the door. he paid them no mind and laid out the boy, from the looks of him he had already been loosened so he set on the next course of action, finding water and rags. he knew no more of medicine than what little had been practiced on him but he he wanted the boy awake and so he searched

[Auspicious Happenings]

( :| Keeps logging me out while I'm typing my replies. )
Evan lay on the bed, pale as its sheets and breathing uneven.
His lips had a slightly blue tint to them, and his breath sounded labored.
His eyelids fluttered in a restless sleep, eye brows creased.

[littl3chocobo]

he found water and a rag, he went over to the other. the boy's face which had been lovely in it's pallor before was downright unsafe looking now, he seemed to be turning blue. he applied the cold watter to the boy's face, he watched in hopes of the other rousing though only the sound of the door behind him opening could be heard

[Auspicious Happenings]

Constance had knocked on the door, several times in fact, but had gotten no response.
So, she cautiously opened the door and saw the Prince preparing to administer medicine for Evan.
"Y-Your Highness... Perhaps I could help you, I have experience with Evan's condition" she offered quietly.
She knew he knew about Evans identity, and made no attempt to skirt around it.

[littl3chocobo]

he stepped aside and crossed his arms. he said nothing to the woman but he did not turn her away either. it would be a poor turn if the boy should die on the first day of his wedding

[Auspicious Happenings]

Constance moved past the Prince quietly and reached into a chest for a few items.
First she drew out a small silk satchel, a vile of sage green liquid, some clean rags, two bowls and a glass jar of honey.
She set to boiling the water first, and then mixed the honey with a few drops of the deep green liquid in the vile.
The smell of oregano filled the room.
Taking the small satchel, she pressed it beneath Evans nose, and he breathed in sharply before his eyes snapped open.
The smelling salts were made from kosher salt, peppermint oil and lemon grass oil. They were quite pungent.
Pulling the bowl in front of Evan, she rubbed his back gently as he had another coughing fit, and urged him to spit.
Coaxing him to lift his tongue, she put a few drops of the honey mixture underneath his tongue. He grimaced, the mixture was still spicy despite the honey.
Constance turned to face the Prince. "Your Highness... I think that you should know... Evan has suffered from breathing problems since he was a wee tot" she said quietly.
Evan began to cough violently, and she helped him to spit phlegm into the bowl in front of him. Once he was finished, she helped him to settle against the bed again.
" His condition becomes aggravated under certain conditions. When the air is too dry, or too moist... When he's under stress..." she began, and then sighed.
The water had begun to boil nicely, she dipped the rags in the hot water, and then wrapped those in more clean rags to form a hot compress. She settled the compress onto Evans chest, hoping that it would break up his blockages.
"I believe that the Ladies Fashions in court are also aggravating his condition... He's never fainted this many times in two days as he has here..." she replied.
Looking eyes with the Alric, she gave him a pleading look. " He must leave this place soon... He needs a place that is peaceful and quiet, where he doesn't need to bind his ribs in..." she said honestly.
She leaned over Evan and smoothed his hair, looking very much like a Mother with her child.
For all intensive purposes, he was like her child to her. She had taken to caring for Evan and Evangeline when they were but 4 months old, and had been with them ever since.
She reached up and wiped the sweat from her brow, and ran her fingers through her frazzled gray hair.

[littl3chocobo]

he nodded. his own mother had issues breathing the damp of the castle too and in the cold of winters she was always followed by a cough. "i understand, and i am arranging to have him sent away as soon as the ceremony is complete, that will be in nine days counting this one, that is part of the bargain." he turned as a knock came at the door "speaking of which, is he well enough to eat? it would not do for him to miss the first night of the wedding"

[Auspicious Happenings]

Constance sighed with relief. Perhaps what Evan had said about him was true. He didn't seem to be such a cold hearted man after all.
"Thank you Your Highness... Evan is a good boy, he has the sweetest and most giving heart you will ever find" she replied.
She coaxed Evan to open his eyes and he did and nodded when she asked him if he felt like he could hold down food.
Evan looked up at Alric with a slightly flushed and hazy look in his eyes. " I'm terribly sorry for causing so much trouble Your Highness" he apologized sincerely.

[littl3chocobo]

he was angry at the woman's words, how dare she assume he was doing this for the benifit of the boy. haughtily and with no feelings he spoke "women should know their places even false ones. i don't care for his heart only his face, you both would do well to remember that" he turned on his heel and stormed off, the small feeling in his gut telling him that it was wrong to say that was crushed under his pride. he did not look back

[Auspicious Happenings]

Evans face crumpled at the harsh words and all that they implied.
Constance however gave a slight frown as the Prince swept out of the room. She was an old woman, and she had seen many things in her day. The Princes behavior was not all that surprising.
Evan however ate his meal in silence, rarely lifting his eyes from the food before him.
When he rose from the bed, he allowed Constance to dress him for dinner, and walked quitely beside her.
At the table he acted the perfect lady, pushed his food politely around on the plate, and spoke only when spoken to.
Nobody noticed but Constance that he refused to look at his intended Husband.

[littl3chocobo]

he paid no mind to the boy at the lavishly set table or his wretched nanny lurking near the wall with the rest of the servants. as long as the woman was there neither would be in his good graces he kept up his cold demenor through the wash break, the second course and the show, by the end he had actually forgotten the boy was even there

[Auspicious Happenings]

That evening Constance was beginning to feel unwell. Evan kept a careful eye on her, even as she tried to convince him that she would be just fine.
But, he did not believe her one bit. She seemed short of breath, pale, and would grab at her chest as if in pain.
"Its nothing Evan... Don't worry yourself with the likes of me..." she tried soothing him.
With a frown on his face, he refused to relax.
By the time they had actually fallen asleep that night, he was utterly exhausted.
He slumped into bed and rolled over.
When he opened his eyes, it was morning. The room was quite chilly, and more quiet than usual.
Walking quietly down the hall and to the servants quarters, she was greeted politely by the women who resided there, whom informed her that Constance was still ill and in bed.
Evan walked to her bed, and gently touched her shoulder to rouse her.
But, pulled his hand away in shock, her shoulder did not yield the way it should have.
Pressing his fingers to her neck, he found her skin clammy and cold.
A cry of surprise and grief bubbled past his lips, as he turned her onto her back.
Her face was peaceful, but her lips were blue.
She was dead.
Tears streamed out of his eyes as he jerked his hands back. One of the woman servants noticed the spectacle and screamed.
Soon the room was a flurry of chaos, and Evan could not make a sound as his tears leaked down his cheeks and soaked the collar of his dress.

[littl3chocobo]

he did not find out about the nanny until the morning meal but by then the sun was high in the sky and day was nearly half passed he understood the wedding would be moved back two days so as not to mar it with misfortune. he wondered idly while the castle buzzed about preparing for a funeral on top of the wedding, if the boy was upset. he went to check the boy's rooms but thought better of it and tried the garden first

[Auspicious Happenings]

Finally escaping the maddening heat of the mourners, Evan escaped to the one place where he felt peace.
Careful to hide himself behind one of the bushes, he allowed his mind to wander to the fond times he had as a child, Constance at his side.
He tasted the familiar salt of his tears, as he sniffled silently from his hiding spot.
He was sure everyone was trying to be kind to him, but he found the attention overwhelming.
Part of him was bitter too. Why should all these women mourn Constance anyhow? They did not know her...